Posts
1152
Joined
7/2/2017
Location
Westport, MA, USA
Edited Date/Time
8/15/2022 3:05pm
Was wondering what people have done for wood vs steel frame to build a wall and bed off in their sprinters/transits? Starting in a couple weeks from a black canvas new van, was worried an all wood wall would creek and be noisy
I'll dig up some pics of our sprinter which had a lounger that turned into a big double bed. I'll try find some pics.
The Shop
Free shipping: VITALMX
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Those two horizontal tubes are the main support for the wall and where bikes stop and get tied to.
I filled in between the steel tubing 2x4 ribs (the narrow way, not like a home wall). Used that foam insulation board to fill in gaps.
I used shower board around the bottom and panel plywood covered in carpet everywhere else.
If I had to do it over again, I would have made the bed above the garage. Yes its easy as hell to load bikes, but Its just wasted space.
Built using square tubing then put plywood over it on both sides. Need to have a welder though and be able to use it.
Transit.. sleeps and hauls 3. The wood doesn't make any noise but the steel tubing probably helps with that.
I will say I always thought the 170” sprinter was huge and extended is way too much. But after driving the 170 around I’ve decided it’s already so big and not fitting anywhere you mine as well get the extended. I already can’t fit in parking spots, any curbside parking, the tall roof stops drive thrus and turning around sucks anyways. Mine as well of got more living space to not compromise as much building it out and just bought the extended the prices were very close together.
Normally it's 2 big bikes for the wifey and I and then my daughter's ktm electric so it's much easier. 3 big bikes and the gear has to ride on the bed in the living quarters.
Nothing more to add
I have to put on my thinking cap now…
No need to get up by the front wheel to connect tie downs.
I used aluminum angle on the bottom and sides and flat aluminum about 3.5 inches wide across for support and bolted plywood to that.
I always do a metal frame for the bulkhead, I’m paranoid of a whole wall and bike crashing onto anybody during a collision. Lately I’ve built the structure in two pieces and attach them in the center. Trying to get a one piece structure into the van with tight tolerances is impossible. You would have to weld everything in the van, I try to avoid that.
Pit Row
I just do this shit for fun
80/20 is lightweight and strong.
www.80/20.net
Youtube 80/20 van builds and you should find some stuff.
Work In Progress....
Do you have any more photos of the finished build?
Steel tubing, thin, really thin plywood, Lizard skin coating for sound and temp, dynamat for sound, 3M thinsulate, whiteboard for ceiling...I got 2/3 of the way done and had issues with some of the finish work, and I wanted cabinets and electrical/inverter so I took it to Custom Upfits in Sacramento and Todd hooked us up! He kept everything I did as his base and just covered and cleaned it all up. I know the before's aren't great. Mind you I think I did. decent job for a guy who never owned a jig saw before and had only done basic framing and crown molding in the house, but you can see how far I got and what Todd and his team crushed.
Nice seats
Ya, we went with captains chairs that fully recline with foot rests instead of a bench because we had younger kids and wanted something with seat belts. I like the idea of a bench along the side, which would have given more cabin space, but without seat belts and the risk of injury of a side impact or in the worst case a rollover, this was the better way to go. Really stoked with how it all came out.
I have made some progress since March. Unfortunately, I had a bad get off on April 6th and broke my legs, which had me in a chair for 9 weeks. I'm still sorting out an ankle injury and needing surgery on my wrist so progress has been slow.
Adding wood panels to the wall tubing. I glued and screwed to reduce noises and squeaks caused by movement.
Garage side of wall completed.
Added Lock N Loads and L-Track.
Garage with bikes.
Cabin side of wall sheeted.
Outdoor carpeting, coin flooring, trim and new seats installed.
Door panels and accessories fitted from Custom Upfits.
There's more to come and hoping to get back to working on it in a couple of weeks.
Is the finished product laun that's been painted, or did you go over it with something. Looks clean.
Post a reply to: Sprinter Wall Build help